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Fiberstore (FS.COM) | WBMMF – Next Generation Duplex Multimode Fiber in the Data Center
Enterprise data center and cloud operators use multimode fiber for most of their deploymentsbecause it offers the lowest cost means of transporting high data rates for distances aligned withthe needs of these environments. The connections typically run at 10G over a duplex multimodefiber pair—one transmit (Tx) fiber and one receive (Rx) fiber. Upgrading to 40G and 100G usingMMF has traditionally required the use of parallel ribbons of fiber. While parallel transmission issimple and effective, continuation of this trend drives higher cost into the cabling system. However,a new generation of multimode fiber called WBMMF (wideband multimode fiber) is on the way,which can enable transmission of 40G or 100G over a single pair of fibers rather than the four or tenpairs used today. Now, let’s get close to WBMMF.
What Is Wideband Multimode Fiber?
WBMMF is a new multimode fiber type under development that will extend the ability ofconventional OM4 multimode fiber to support multiple wavelengths. Unlike traditional multimodefiber, which supports transmission at the single wavelength of 850 nm, WBMMF will support trafficover a range of wavelengths from 850 to 950 nm. This capability will enable multiple lanes of trafficover the same strand of fiber to transmit 40G and 100G over a single pair of fibers and to drasticallyincrease the capacity of parallel-fiber infrastructure, opening the door to 4-pair 400GE and terabitapplications. Multimode fiber continues to provide the most cost-effective platform for highbandwidth connectivity in the data center, and with the launch of the WBMMF solution, thatplatform has been extended to support higher speeds with fewer fibers and at greater distances.
WBMMF – NextGeneration DuplexMultimode Fiber in theData Center
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Fiberstore (FS.COM) | WBMMF – Next Generation Duplex Multimode Fiber in the Data Center
What Is the Technology Behind WBMMF?
WBMMF uses short wavelength division multiplexing (SWDM) to significantly increase itstransmission capacity by four times. WDM technology is well known for its use in single-modetransmission, but has only recently been adapted for use with vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers(VCSELs), which have been proven in high-speed optical communications and are widely deployed in10G interconnection applications. SWDM multiplexes different wavelengths onto duplex MMFutilizing WDM VCSEL technology. By simultaneously transmitting four VCSELs, each operating at aslightly different wavelength, a single pair WBMMF can reliably transfer 40G (4x10G) or 100G(4x25G). The use of SWDM then enables WBMMF to maintain the cost advantage of multimodefiber systems over single-mode fiber in short links and greatly increases the total link capacity in amultimode fiber link.
Why Does WBMMF Make Sense?
In order to increase transmission speeds up to 10G or 25G, transceiver vendors simply increased thespeed of their devices. When 40G and 100G standards were developed, transmission schemes thatused parallel fibers were introduced. This increase in fiber count provided a simple solution tolimitations of the technology available at the time. It was accepted in the industry and allowedmultimode links to maintain a low cost advantage. However, the fiber count increase was notwithout issues. At some point, simply increasing the number of fibers for each new speed becameunreasonable, in part because the cable management of parallel fiber solutions, combined with theincreasing number of links in a data center, becomes very challenging. Please see the picture below.Usually, 40G is implemented using eight of the twelve fibers in an MPO connector. Four of theseeight fibers are used to transmit while the other four are used to receive. Each Tx/Rx pair isoperating at 10G. But if we use WDMMF, two fibers are enough. Each Tx/Rx pair can transmit 40Gby simultaneously transmitting four different wavelengths. This enables at least a four-foldreduction in the number of fibers for a given data rate, which provides a cost-effective cablingsolution for data center.
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Fiberstore (FS.COM) | WBMMF – Next Generation Duplex Multimode Fiber in the Data Center
Conclusion
WBMMF is born at the right moment to meet the challenges associated with escalating data ratesand the ongoing need to build cost-effective infrastructure. Besides, WBMMF will support existingOM4 applications to the same link distance. Optimized to support wavelengths in the 850 nm to 950nm range to take advantage of SWDM, WBMMF ensures not only more efficient support for futureapplications to useful distances, but also complete compatibility with legacy applications, making itan ideal universal medium that supports not only the applications of the present, but also those ofthe future.
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Fiberstore (FS.COM) | WBMMF – Next Generation Duplex Multimode Fiber in the Data Center
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Notice: This document is for informational purposes only and does not set forth any warranty, expressed orimplied, concerning any equipment, equipment features, or service offered or to be offered by Fiberstore.Fiberstore reserves the right to make changes to this document at any time, without notice, and assumes noresponsibility for its use. This information document describes features that may not be currently available.Contact a Fiberstore sales team for information on feature and product availability.
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